There have been reports of more than 1000 people killed in an earthquake in the eastern Paktika province of Afghanistan. 

For the first time since the Taliban came to power, a 'technical team' was deployed at the Indian Embassy in Afghanistan on Thursday.

Which will coordinate and closely monitor the supply of humanitarian aid with various stakeholders.

The Ministry of External Affairs gave this information.

After the Taliban came to power in August last year, India withdrew its officials from its embassy.

"In view of efforts to effectively supply humanitarian aid and to closely monitor and coordinate ongoing contacts with the people of Afghanistan, an Indian technical team arrived in Kabul today and was stationed at our embassy," the ministry said.

Significantly, this move of India is being considered as the first step towards its full presence in the war-torn Afghanistan after the Taliban took power there.

"Recently an Indian team visited Kabul to see the supplies of our humanitarian aid operation to Afghanistan and met with senior leaders of the ruling Taliban there," the ministry said.

During this visit, the security situation there was also reviewed. "Our longstanding relationship with Afghan society and development partnership including humanitarian assistance will continue to guide our approach," the Foreign Ministry said in its statement. '

Meanwhile, India has also sent relief material for the powerful earthquake that struck Afghanistan's East Paktika province and its first consignment has reached Kabul.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, "The first consignment of earthquake relief assistance from India for the people of Afghanistan has reached Kabul.

It has been handed over to the Indian team there." To take stock of the supply of humanitarian aid in Afghanistan, a delegation led by JP Singh, Joint Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, who deals with Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iran, recently went to Kabul. .

The team had also met Taliban leaders and saw some Indian projects as well .

First consignment of India's earthquake relief assistance for the people of Afghanistan reaches Kabul.

Being handed over by the Indian team there.

Further consignment follows.

pic.twitter.com/6v1oYSRZLO

— Arindam Bagchi (@MEAIndia) June 23, 2022

The embassy has been reopened after an Indian team led by JP Singh visited Kabul three weeks ago and met the country's caretaker foreign minister Mawlawi Amir Khan Muttaki and some other Taliban members.

It is learned that the Taliban side has assured the Indian team that adequate security will be provided if India sends its officials to the embassy in Kabul.

Recently, the Ministry of External Affairs had said that keeping in mind the needs of the people of Afghanistan, India has so far sent 20 thousand metric tons of wheat, 13 tons of medicine, five lakh doses of anti-Covid vaccine, warm clothes etc.

This material has been handed over to UN agencies like Indira Gandhi Children's Hospital, WHO, WEP in Kabul.

There itself,

There have been reports of more than 1000 people killed in an earthquake in the eastern Paktika province of Afghanistan.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had expressed deep sorrow over this disaster.

Modi had tweeted and said that India stands with the people of Afghanistan in their difficult times and is ready to provide all possible disaster relief material at the earliest.

The disaster has hit the country at a time when the international community has distanced itself from Afghanistan in view of the Taliban taking control of the country after the withdrawal of US forces from Afghanistan.

Due to this situation, carrying out the rescue operation in a country with a population of 38 million is expected to be very difficult.

The Ambassador of Afghanistan, Fareed Mamundzai, commended India for showing solidarity and support in this difficult time.

At the same time, the ruling Taliban in Afghanistan has also appealed for international help.